Self Care Tips For The Moms That Are Stretched Thin

As moms, it’s easy to forget about ourselves in the midst of taking care of everyone else. And as many self care tips we read on Pinterest and plan to execute them- we find ourselves often putting them off.

Being a first-time mom, I’ve done a lot of things ass-backward. As my due date crept up, I was mentally prepared to cut all ties with my personal wants and needs. All of my time, effort, and energy was going to go to my baby.

Welp. Let’s just say I fell flat on my face with this mentality. It’s unreasonable and flat-out unhealthy to cut all ties with your personal wants and needs. I’m not saying putting your baby’s needs and wants before yours isn’t a bad thing.

But it’s important for you to take care of yourself in order to provide the best care for your baby and everyone else.

How does self care help with stress?

According to verywellmind, we’re less able to handle stress that come our way when we’re depleted by physical and emotional exhaustion and taking time to maintain self-care has several benefits like:

• boost physical health
• improve emotional health
• and makes you a better caregiver

Self Care Tips

1. Start your day early.

This sounds like the opposite thing to do for some of you. But I’ve noticed that days I wake up early (typically because I’m forced to by my baby) – I get so much more done.

I get to actually finish a nice, hot cup of morning coffee and not rush trying to finish my morning routine in a short window (before my baby gets cranky for her first nap).

2. Take a shower everyday.

Seriously, daily showers can make or break my day.

There’s nothing like a nice, hot, shower after being spit up with milk, drooled over, and walking around with mac and cheese stuck in your hair.

3. Don’t do anything until you’ve enjoyed your morning coffee.

If you have to reheat your cup of morning coffee – then you didn’t actually enjoy it.

Seriously. Make it a rule that your kids can’t ask you questions until mama has finished her morning coffee. That’s one of my friend’s rules.

4. Pick one day of the week for you.

Ask your significant other, family member, or friend to watch your kids or baby for a little while.

Whether it’s 15 minutes to run and grab Starbucks or 3 hours to get lunch with a friend- just no kids or babies allowed.

5. Ask for help.

There’s nothing wrong with asking for help.

I had a hard time asking for help and still do. But when I’m reaching “my point”- I don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

6. Have an outing with friends.

Friends are there for a reason. You don’t even have to actually drive and go see a friend.

Have them come over or give them a call. vent, talk, cry, and laugh it out.

7. Start a good book.

I used to love reading. And I still do but don’t make the time to read. Or you can even get a good audible book from Amazon for walks and runs.

Instead of reading- I write blog posts like this one for self-care.

8. Allot 15 to 25 minutes a day to close your eyes in peace.

9. Binge-watch your favorite show.

I’ve binge-watched Grey’s Anatomy about 4 times now and it never gets old.

I highly recommend Unexpected (on Hulu), Handmaid’s tale (on Hulu), Grey’s Anatomy, Stranger Things (Netflix), and crime documentaries.

10. Get a face mask.

11. Schedule a massage.

Or if you’ve got older kids- pay them to give you one. This is a great way for them to build up their allowance.

12. Write in a journal.

You’re never too old to write in a diary or journal.

13. Cook your favorite meal.

If you can’t cook, order yourself something.

Or better yet, go to your mom or grandma’s house for a delicious, home-cooked meal.

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14. Get your nails done.

I personally don’t ever get my nails done. Like my nails are always bare (so please don’t look down at my feet in the summer).

But I do enjoy occasionally sitting down and doing a little spa night at home which includes painting my nails, doing a facial mask, and lathering myself in lotion.

15. Sit outside and relax.

16. Go for a walk.

17. Talk to your best friend.

18. Watch something funny.

19. Take a bubble bath.

20. Stretch it out.

21. Workout.

It might be difficult mentally preparing yourself to workout. And this is especially hard when you haven’t worked out in a long time.

But once you get that momentum going- it gets easier and you’ll feel like a new person.

22. Go for a jog.

23. Dance it off.

24. Go shopping.

25. Socialize with other moms.

Sometimes it’s easier to vent out your mom problems with a community of moms.

26. Take a nap.

27. Drink a lot of water.

28. Take your daily vitamins.

29. Create a goal and action plan.

30. Wash your bedsheets.

I don’t know about you, but I love the smell and feel of a freshly washed and made bed.

31. Do your makeup.

I dread getting ready for anything anymore. But after I actually do my hair and makeup- it’s almost an instant gratification.

32. Get dressed up.

33. Put on your favorite music.

34. Do a DIY craft.

35. Create a skincare routine.

I have a morning and night time skincare routine. And it’s something that has helped me feel like myself on days I felt down and lost.

36. Make a DIY hair mask.

37. Declutter something in the house.

38. Clean out your wardrobe.

Sell your clothes on Poshmark and Mercari. Or donate it to your local thrift store like Goodwill.

39. Listen to a podcast.

40. Take a break from social media.

Social media can be toxic. But it can also be inspiring. So choose who you want to follow, wisely. And one of the self care tips for moms, just take a break from it once in a while and not think about anything but yourself. Create time for self healing.

In Other Words

Don’t neglect your own health and well-being and start implementing these self care tips now. You don’t have to put your wants and needs on the back burner to be considered a “good mom”.

I wish I could go back in time and tell my old, stressful new mom self to take a deep breath and ask for help. So that I could take a daily shower, prepare my favorite meal, and read a few chapters of a good book.

Take care of yourself mama. Read other self-care practices and activities at Practice Self Care and Self Love : 17 Exquisite But Simple Ways To Do Each Day, 25 Ridiculously Cheap Self Care Ideas for Moms, and 30 Simple & Easy Self-Care Activities For Busy Moms.